In Loving Memory

We remember a life today

and all that made her who she was -

all that delighted her,

that made her laugh

or moved her to tears,

calling to mind her story,

and the many lives she touched along the way

We honor a life today -

her outlook,

her inner strength,

and the things that she believed in -

recognizing her goodness,

her uniqueness,

her own special gifts

shared generously with the rest of the world.

We celebrate a life today

and her connections with family and friends

and all who loved her -

feeling enriched for having known her

and so grateful for our time with her,

for the way she affected us ...

inspired us ...

and affirmed for us

that this is how a beautiful life should be lived.

Comfortably Numb

I suppose the upside to being at work today is that the more times I tell the story the more real it seems. I don't know that that makes it easier but I've reached a point of numb acceptance. As long as I don't have to look at my dad or my grandfather because then the tears threaten to flow in earnest. I guess, in all honesty, we don't know with 100% certainity how this will all play out until they take her off life-support tomorrow morning but I think that everyone has come to terms (as much as you can ever come to terms) with the fact that we have to let her go. But for now it is a bit of a waiting game. And we all know how good I am with waiting.

One week ago today we were together celebrating my grandfather's 80th birthday.

Today we are together at the hospital celebrating my grandmother's life in its final moments.

What a difference one week can make.